The procedure is guided by shop owner Mr. Jude Reveley. Tool sharpening and use of hand force on chisels is taught by Mr. John Cameron. This is my second practice in the 8 years of working at Absolute Piano Restoration and the third in my entire life. Hopefully the next one could be a little better. My deep gratitude for these two dedicated masters.

According to Renner USA, the balancier center pin friction is between 6 and 8 grams. On this new set of wippens, the friction is about 1 to 2 grams. Re-pinning is needed. During the procedure, the rep-spring will be in the way, a small hook can be made out of piano wire or a paper clip to pull the spring out of the way.

Often times, the center pin bushing cloth is treated with a certain chemical from manufacturer which may cause increased centerpin-bushing friction through time and usage. Re-pinning helps prevent this problem.

This is a trial. A better process is yet to be developed with advice from colleagues and professionals.

The process was initially orally instructed by our shop owner Mr. Jude Reveley. On the first time, it was done with a drill press. But the drill press table is only so long. The holes at and near the two ends of keyframe are hard to drill straight or perpendicular to the keyframe. This is the second time of glider studs installation. It is done by hand. Hopefully a more accurate and efficient way or ways can be developed through time and with advice from colleagues and professionals. 

The Blüthner piano nosebolt nuts require a special ​spanner for extraction. One nut has two slots as shown in pictures. 

The raviolis in pedal boxes are usually beat up and full of dust, upon which the back of a pedal rests. To make new ones, we need: 

On older pianos, we often hear and see the hammers bouncing on the strings like little bobbleheads. Here are a few causes and fix on an old Baldwin grand piano. Each piano may take different approaches of problem solving. 

The fallboard rod holder on this spinet snapped into two pieces. The piano part suppliers don't sell replacements anymore. My mentor Debbie Cyr and good technician friend Hillary York came up with the idea of rod/pipe holders at handwear stores. So here is the adventure.

A Steinway piano technician asked our shop to rebuild his client's piano. He required that the parts to be traditional Steinway parts instead of the WNG parts which we usually use. For this unique request, the shop owner Mr. Jude Reveley ordered parts from both Steinway factory and Schaff Piano Supply. I believe, to contact Steinway, one may need to email [email protected] to see the catalogue and price. 

The cloth cushion on old Steinway sostenuto brackets becomes worn and discolored after decades of use. Every time when we rebuild an action at Absolute Piano, the cloth is changed.  The cloth making process is instructed by the shop owner Mr. Jude Reveley.

This experience is totally personal. The methods are yet to be improved. Thanks to our big boss for teaching us this process. Gratitude to Dana, the tool maker. Texting, in my mind, to Mr. David Betts wherever he is, maybe fly fishing in Vermont?

This is how we darken the casted letters on the cast iron plate at Absolute Piano as of June 2024. The skill and method are yet to be improved and/or modified.

This note is what I noticed during this recent capstan and backcheck installation. Skills and methods are to be improved. The installation videos and information can be found on WNG website. There are also PDF instructions available. This process took about five hours as of May 2024.